Open Space Tech: Guiding principles and one law

1. Whoever comes is the right people
   reminds participants that they don’t need the CEO and 100 people to get something done, you need people who care. And, absent the direction or control exerted in a traditional meeting, that’s who shows up in the various breakout sessions of an Open Space meeting.
2. Whenever it starts is the right time
   reminds participants that “spirit and creativity do not run on the clock.”
3. Wherever it happens is the right place
   reminds participants that space is opening everywhere all the time.
4. Whatever happens is the only thing that could have
   reminds participants that once something has happened, it’s done—and no amount of fretting, complaining or otherwise rehashing can change that. Move on.
5. When it’s over, it’s over
   reminds participants that we never know how long it will take to resolve an issue, once raised, but that whenever the issue or work or conversation is finished, move on to the next thing. Don’t keep rehashing just because there’s 30 minutes left in the session. Do the work, not the time.

“The Law of two feet”
If at any time during our time together you find yourself in any situation where you are neither learning nor contributing, use your two feet, go someplace else.